Some of the world’s leading retailers and manufacturers in the consumer goods sector have united to create a global trade and industry body, which will develop common positions on key issues affecting the consumer goods industry. Named The Consumer Goods Forum, the range of members is a who’s who of the sector with combined sales of EUR 2.1 trillion (A$3.6 trillion). Manufacturers of the likes of Procter&Gamble, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Kraft join retail behemoths Wal-Mart,... ...Read more »

New research into meat purchases released this week has suggested a change of shopping behaviour amongst Australian consumers. In a recent survey of nearly 11,000 Australians, commissioned by Australia’s largest specialty chicken retailer Lenard’s, over 57 per cent said that they intended to ‘save’ or ‘pay off debts’ with their Federal Government Stimulus payment and, in keeping with this prudence, they are turning away from more ‘luxury’ meats such... ...Read more »

Having seen the growth of online grocery shopping in the UK, Coles is hoping the same trend continues gathering pace here in Australia. Australia’s major supermarket chains have been reluctant to embrace online shopping but it appears that they are steadily warming to the concept. If it has as much potential as analysts in the UK suggest then Coles and Woolworths – given their extensive distribution networks – are in the driver’s seat to expand their already large share of... ...Read more »

American consumers, who like Australians have been increasing private label consumption and spending more on eating at home, are going to continue to place their premium on value rather than quality once the recessionary tide recedes, according to Rabobank. “An economic recovery would help loosen up consumer purse strings, and improve some of the consumer confidence levels,” said Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) Executive Director Stephen Rannekleiv.... ...Read more »

Since its launch into the foodservice sector, the Heart Foundation has helped its Tick licensees offer Australians healthier meals and now they are planning to expand its use to healthier snacks sold at food outlets. The Heart Foundation reported that ‘Tick’ options at foodservice outlets had been well received by customers and companies using the Tick had even unexpectedly uncovered greater business efficiencies and profitability across many areas of their businesses. Coral Colyer, Food... ...Read more »

Price remains a barrier to many looking to choose healthier food options, according to a new report from the US. Almost half (46 per cent) of those surveyed said they were reluctant to spend more on healthier versions of food, the United Soybean Board’s (USB) 2009 Consumer Attitudes about Nutrition survey revealed. Of those not prepared to spend more 52 per cent confirm the reason is financial. The study discovered 87 per cent of consumers express concern about the nutritional content of the... ...Read more »

Because food is a basic necessity, the agriculture and food sectors are showing more resilience to the global economic crisis than other industries. But the risks could increase if the economic downturn deepens, according to a new report by the OECD and FAO released overnight.Falls in agricultural prices and in the production and consumption of farm goods are likely to be moderate as long as the economic recovery begins within two to three years, says the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2009-2018.... ...Read more »

Australia’s competition watchdog has today advised that it will not oppose the acquisition of organic supermarket operator Macro Wholefoods by Australia’s largest supermarket operator, Woolworths. Woolworths announced the proposed takeover of Macro last month and plans to turn all Macro stores into outlets of their upmarket grocery subsidiary – Thomas Dux*. They will also acquire ownership of the Macro Organic private label brand. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission... ...Read more »

A new study by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) researchers contradicts the theory that children living near a fast food outlet are more likely to be overweight and those living near a supermarket, which sells fruit and veg, would be less likely to be overweight. The IUPUI investigators in economics, pediatrics, geography and urban planning compared children’s weights over time before and after one of these food purveyors moved near the children’s residences.... ...Read more »

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Business and Economic Development, Jon Stanhope, has announced the appointment of Mr John Martin as expert advisor to the ACT Government’s review of supermarket competition policy.Mr Martin is former Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and was Deputy Chair of the ACCC’s 2008 Retail Grocery Inquiry. He will advise the ACT Government on a range of issues that surround the review, in particular the local implications... ...Read more »